Strength with unity - President Metsola welcomes Taoiseach Martin at the start of the Irish Presidency  

Dear colleagues, 
 
It is a pleasure to welcome the Taoiseach of Ireland, Micheál Martin, to present the Irish Presidency’s programme of activities. 
 
Dear Micheál, welcome to the European Parliament.  
 
For over 50 years, Ireland’s spirit of community, cooperation, and compromise has driven Europe forward and shaped how we see ourselves as Europeans.  And as you embark on this, your eighth Presidency so far, I know you that you are more than ready to steer Europe to ever greater heights. 
 
We are entering a critical six months for our continent. As the world around us becomes more uncertain, people are calling loudly for a safer, stronger, more confident Union. One that stands tall on the world stage while acting at home to improve people’s lives in real, tangible ways. 
 
That is what we in this Parliament are working for every day. And I am pleased to see that, with your leadership and with your Presidency’s focus on competitiveness, security and values, we are both pulling in the same direction. 
 
The coming months are an opportunity for us to act together on some transformative files and deliver the progress people demand of us. Bringing our Union closer together, helping businesses to grow, and supporting our allies while ramping up our own security. Meanwhile, negotiations on the next multiannual budget will determine how prepared we are for the next seven years.
 
In all of these challenges, Ireland can continue to rely on the goodwill and the backing of this Parliament. As always, the Irish put it best: Ní neart go cur le chéile. Strength with unity. That is our European way, and it must continue to guide us all in the months to come. 
 
Dear Taoiseach, I know we are all looking forward to hearing you speak. So without further ado, the floor is yours.
 

You can read the President's speech in Irish here.